Best Politician 2002 | Senator Ed Perlmutter | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Politician

Senator Ed Perlmutter

When the boundaries of Colorado's new 7th Congressional district were announced, many people dubbed it the "Perlmutter district," assuming that state senator and popular Jefferson County Democrat Ed Perlmutter would leap at the chance to run for U.S. Congress. But those people didn't know Perlmutter's ten-year-old daughter, Zoe. When the legislator consulted his family about running for the seat, Zoe voted no, saying politics made her father "grumpy." That was all it took: Perlmutter won't be running. Nevertheless, as state Senate president, Perlmutter has made a heroic effort to get the legislature to pass laws that will guide growth in Colorado. And while those efforts weren't successful, Perlmutter has emerged as one of the most passionate advocates for Colorado's future. He may not be on his way to Washington, but we hope he'll play a role in Colorado's politics for years to come.

Best Politician

Senator Ed Perlmutter

When the boundaries of Colorado's new 7th Congressional district were announced, many people dubbed it the "Perlmutter district," assuming that state senator and popular Jefferson County Democrat Ed Perlmutter would leap at the chance to run for U.S. Congress. But those people didn't know Perlmutter's ten-year-old daughter, Zoe. When the legislator consulted his family about running for the seat, Zoe voted no, saying politics made her father "grumpy." That was all it took: Perlmutter won't be running. Nevertheless, as state Senate president, Perlmutter has made a heroic effort to get the legislature to pass laws that will guide growth in Colorado. And while those efforts weren't successful, Perlmutter has emerged as one of the most passionate advocates for Colorado's future. He may not be on his way to Washington, but we hope he'll play a role in Colorado's politics for years to come.

Best City Councilwoman -- If You're a Sixteen-Year-Old Hipster

Elbra Wedgeworth

Last summer, when the City of Denver revoked a class of permit that allowed underage patrons into cabarets, Elbra Wedgeworth was the first councilmember to stick up for the kids and venues affected by the change. Soon after, she organized and supervised a community task force that recommended an overhaul of the cabaret-licensing code. In the end, the city council approved an ordinance that allowed sixteen-year-old music fans into local entertainment establishments, a piece of policy that pleased everyone from Mayor Wellington Webb to concert promoters. For her diplomacy, her tenacity and her recognition of youth's need for positive social outlets like music, we think Wedgeworth rocks.

Best City Councilwoman -- If You're a Sixteen-Year-Old Hipster

Elbra Wedgeworth

Last summer, when the City of Denver revoked a class of permit that allowed underage patrons into cabarets, Elbra Wedgeworth was the first councilmember to stick up for the kids and venues affected by the change. Soon after, she organized and supervised a community task force that recommended an overhaul of the cabaret-licensing code. In the end, the city council approved an ordinance that allowed sixteen-year-old music fans into local entertainment establishments, a piece of policy that pleased everyone from Mayor Wellington Webb to concert promoters. For her diplomacy, her tenacity and her recognition of youth's need for positive social outlets like music, we think Wedgeworth rocks.

Best City Councilwoman -- If You're a Skateboarder of Any Age

Joyce Foster

Joyce Foster knows that skateboarding is not a crime, which is why she pushed and pushed and pushed for the construction of the Denver Skatepark, a state-of-the-art facility that finally opened in the summer of 2001. Situated on a prime piece of real estate in the Central Platte Valley, the park was designed with the help of a national team of architects and consultants, including Thrasher magazine's Kevin Thatcher. Judging by the masses of kids who turn up to ride in it, even on days when the weather is less than ideal, the place turned out just fine. The popularity of the skate park, especially with teenage boys, proves that Foster was right to lobby for it so passionately. The only way Foster could top her present cool status would be by taking the half-pipe herself.

Best City Councilwoman -- If You're a Skateboarder of Any Age

Joyce Foster

Joyce Foster knows that skateboarding is not a crime, which is why she pushed and pushed and pushed for the construction of the Denver Skatepark, a state-of-the-art facility that finally opened in the summer of 2001. Situated on a prime piece of real estate in the Central Platte Valley, the park was designed with the help of a national team of architects and consultants, including Thrasher magazine's Kevin Thatcher. Judging by the masses of kids who turn up to ride in it, even on days when the weather is less than ideal, the place turned out just fine. The popularity of the skate park, especially with teenage boys, proves that Foster was right to lobby for it so passionately. The only way Foster could top her present cool status would be by taking the half-pipe herself.

Best Way to Break an Election Tie

Picking a card in Telluride

Most people think politicians are all the same, so instead of voting, why not flip a coin to determine who should win an election? Or better yet, have the candidates pick a card, and whoever picks the highest card gets to hold the office. Sound like a neat trick? Well, it worked in Telluride after town-council candidates Stu Fraser and Jenny Russell each garnered 410 votes in last November's election. Since state law mandates that election ties be broken by "lot," town clerk M.J. Schillaci had the two candidates pick cards. Amazingly, Fraser picked the ace of spades. Welcome to politics.

Best Way to Break an Election Tie

Picking a card in Telluride

Most people think politicians are all the same, so instead of voting, why not flip a coin to determine who should win an election? Or better yet, have the candidates pick a card, and whoever picks the highest card gets to hold the office. Sound like a neat trick? Well, it worked in Telluride after town-council candidates Stu Fraser and Jenny Russell each garnered 410 votes in last November's election. Since state law mandates that election ties be broken by "lot," town clerk M.J. Schillaci had the two candidates pick cards. Amazingly, Fraser picked the ace of spades. Welcome to politics.

Best Political Comeback by an Ex-Senator

Gary Hart

Gary Hart's not afraid to say "I told you so," and he did just that, beginning with a Playboy interview in February in which the magazine called him the "former senator who predicted the attacks on America." In fact, Hart got lots of play because of a report he issued in 1999 when he was co-chairman of the U.S Commission on National Security/21st Century. The conclusion of that report read: "Americans will become increasingly vulnerable to hostile attack on our homeland, and our military superiority will not entirely protect us. Americans will likely die on American soil, possibly in large numbers." Yikes! Will Hart's newfound popularity be enough to boost him into the national political spotlight or even compel him to run for office again? It sounds like Monkey Business to us.

Best Political Comeback by an Ex-Senator

Gary Hart

Gary Hart's not afraid to say "I told you so," and he did just that, beginning with a Playboy interview in February in which the magazine called him the "former senator who predicted the attacks on America." In fact, Hart got lots of play because of a report he issued in 1999 when he was co-chairman of the U.S Commission on National Security/21st Century. The conclusion of that report read: "Americans will become increasingly vulnerable to hostile attack on our homeland, and our military superiority will not entirely protect us. Americans will likely die on American soil, possibly in large numbers." Yikes! Will Hart's newfound popularity be enough to boost him into the national political spotlight or even compel him to run for office again? It sounds like Monkey Business to us.

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